⚠️ Important: These are general statutory deadlines. Your specific situation may have different time limits. Always confirm with ACAS (0300 123 1100) or a solicitor before assuming a deadline applies to you.
Employment Tribunal Deadlines
Unfair Dismissal Claim
⏱ 3 months minus 1 day from dismissal date
You must submit your claim to ACAS Early Conciliation before this deadline. Missing it almost always means you cannot claim, regardless of how strong your case is.
Example: Dismissed on 1 March → deadline is 30 May. Start ACAS Early Conciliation immediately — it pauses the clock.
Wrongful Dismissal Claim
⏱ 3 months minus 1 day from dismissal date
Same deadline as unfair dismissal for Employment Tribunal claims. You can also bring a civil court claim within 6 years, but the Tribunal route is faster and free.
Discrimination Claim
⏱ 3 months minus 1 day from the discriminatory act
Covers race, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation and other protected characteristics. For ongoing discrimination, the clock runs from the last act.
Unpaid Wages / Unlawful Deductions
⏱ 3 months minus 1 day from the date of underpayment
Includes holiday pay, notice pay and other unlawful deductions from wages. You can claim up to 2 years of unlawful deductions in a single claim.
Redundancy Pay Claim
⏱ 6 months from dismissal date
You have longer to claim unpaid statutory redundancy pay — 6 months from your dismissal date. After 6 months the Tribunal has discretion; after 12 months you cannot claim at all.
Benefits & Appeals
Universal Credit / PIP Mandatory Reconsideration
⏱ 1 month from the date of the decision letter
You must request a Mandatory Reconsideration before you can appeal to a Tribunal. Do this in writing and keep a copy. Late requests can sometimes be accepted with good reason.
Tip: Use our Letters generator to write a Mandatory Reconsideration letter for free.
Social Security / Benefits Tribunal Appeal
⏱ 1 month from the Mandatory Reconsideration notice
After receiving your Mandatory Reconsideration notice, you have 1 month to appeal to the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal. Appeals are free.
Housing
Section 21 — Challenging a No-Fault Eviction
⏱ Act before the court possession date
You do not have to leave when a Section 21 notice expires. Your landlord must get a court order. Use the time to get advice from Shelter (0808 800 4444) and challenge any procedural errors.
Deposit Dispute — Tenancy Deposit Scheme
⏱ Within 3 months of tenancy end
Raise a deposit dispute with the relevant scheme (TDS, DPS or MyDeposits) within 3 months of your tenancy ending. After this you may lose your right to dispute deductions.
Consumer Rights
Right to Reject Faulty Goods
⏱ 30 days from purchase (short-term right)
Under the Consumer Rights Act 2015, you have 30 days to reject faulty goods for a full refund. After 30 days you are entitled to a repair or replacement first.
Cooling Off — Online & Distance Purchases
⏱ 14 days from delivery
You have 14 days to cancel most online or distance-sold contracts without giving a reason, under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013.